text:
Feds raid Houston homes over purchase of chemical used in gas creation
A federal law enforcement search of homes in upscale Houston neighborhoods Friday was prompted by the ordering of chemicals that could be used in the manufacture of some type of gas, according to an official.
Agents wearing Hazmat-type gear raided two homes in Houston and a third home in Bryan at about 9 a.m.
The law enforcement source, who asked not to be identified, said the chemicals were not the type used in the manufacture of a traditional explosive.
The intent was "to make some sort of gas ... like tear gas or nerve gas," the source said.
The official said it was not known if any gas was ever produced or recovered.
All three homes are linked to a member of the Houston art community, Cecily E. Horton, and her husband, Andrew Schneck.
Horton's business partner confirmed that the raids were conducted on homes owned by Horton, but indicated the target of the activity is their son.
Melissa Grobmeyer, a partner in M.K.G. Art Management, said she is receiving tons of calls about the news.
"I'm not going into it," she said. "It has to do with her son."
Federal officials said they could not release other information because documents in the case have been sealed. No arrests have been made, officials said.
Andrew Edward Schneck, who is listed in the Texas A&M University directory and was reached by phone, said he didn't want to comment at this time.
"I'm thousands of miles away and basically don't really have anything to say," he said. "I appreciate the call. I've been told about it."
Schneck said he might talk at some future date but not now.
"I'd love to chat but it's inappropriate for me to do so," he said.
The first search warrant was executed at a house near Rice Village in the 2000 block of Albans near Wilton in the Southampton neighborhood, according to the FBI. The site was cleared as of 4 p.m.
FBI spokeswoman Shauna Dunlap said there was another site being searched simultaneously at 411 Fall River Road in the Memorial area. As of 10 p.m., that property was still being cleared.
A Bryan police sergeant confirmed that FBI agents were present at a multi-family complex in the 1400 block of Villa Maria.
Sgt. D. Thane said he didn't know the nature of the FBI's work there, however.
"I can't tell you if it's an investigation vs. a training exercise," he said. "I know we're assisting by providing access security at the apartment complex."
Horton's name appears on Harris County appraisals for both Houston properties under investigation.
The Harris County Appraisal District lists the owners of 2025 Albans as Andrew E. Schneck and Cecily E. Horton. The property, valued at $1.53 million, includes a 4,800-square-foot house with nine rooms and a swimming pool.
The Harris County Appraisal District lists the owner of 411 Fall River as Cecily E. Horton. The property, valued at $1.29 million, includes a 5,220-square-foot house with 11 rooms.
A neighbor of the Fall River home named Liz, who declined to give her last name, said the owner of the house is an A&M professor and the couple's son is college-aged and was rumored to be looking at suspect web sites.
Agents entering the home on Albans were wearing protective clothing, including purple gloves, white long-sleeve suits, and high, yellow boots. Two agents were also being suited up with masks rigged with a breathing apparatus.
Dunlap did say precautions are taken in all searches, especially when there is a chance that hazardous materials are present. However, officials couldn't discuss whether hazardous materials were present.
Residents in the Albans area say they have never seen anything like this before in their neighborhood and were curious why the FBI would be at the home.
"It's crazy," said 70-year-old Brad Fleming, who said he's lived in the neighborhood for about 25 years.
Another resident, Travis Broesche, who said he's lived in the neighborhood for about 25 years, said he and other neighbors believe the area and the house have been under surveillance for some time. He and others have noticed one or two cars parked at the curb not too far from the home for hours with a single person sitting inside.
One resident was worried enough about the cars to call the neighborhood security patrol. Broesche said the person was told it was possible surveillance by the FBI or a private investigator but there was no reason to be concerned.
When asked what he thought about the police activity, Broesche said, "It's the world we live in."
Residents say the home was purchased about a year ago, but they didn't know the current occupants.
A similar situation is reported by neighbors in the Memorial area near Fall River.
Tom Smith said his 88-year-old mother lives two houses from the scene of the FBI search. He said she's lived there 45 years and it has always been a quiet neighborhood.
It appears that the FBI officials involved in the case are working through the government shutdown, though none of them would comment on the furlough directly.
"We've taken an oath so we need to do our jobs and keep people secure," said Dunlap. "We're continuing to protect and serve."
Houston Chronicle reporter Molly Glentzer contributed to this story.


text:
This is SunFlowers, a casual game that will be out for PlayStation Vita this fall. A casual super cute game that will be out for PlayStation Vita this fall.
Sure, it looks like the type of title suited more for your phone or tablet than dedicated gaming hardware, but it also looks creative and fun.
Here's how lead designer Dr. Lakav describes SunFlowers:
You control the Sun, and you have the power to grow beautiful flowers on the ground. To do this, you shoot rays of sunlight through passing clouds, which turns the sunlight into water, which in turn causes the plants to grow. But if a sun ray touches a seed or a flower, it starts to burn. Thankfully, a drop of water will clear that burn right up.
When a flower reaches maturity, two new seeds pop out on both sides of it. If one new seed drops on an empty space it will be planted. If there's already another flower the seed will bounce on it until it reaches a clear slot (and that's how you make Combos!).
Every flower grown during a game goes directly in your virtual garden, where you can watch your collection and even offer them to your friends or a "near" player. See if you can collect all the flowers!
No word on a price yet, but that'll be interesting to watch. Will people be willing to pay more than $1 for a game like this?
SunFlowers Beaming to PS Vita This Fall [PlayStation Blog]

subset: commoncrawl


text:
NEWTON, MA – TripAdvisor┬«, the world's largest travel site*, has revealed the top 10 brewery tours in the U.S., according to the TripAdvisor Popularity IndexÔäó. These tours show lager lovers how the beverages are crafted and provide tasty samples from some of the country's top breweries.
1. New Belgium Brewing — Fort Collins, Colorado
Located 65 miles north of Denver, this sustainable wind powered brewery was the first of its kind in the United States. Beer lovers can enjoy one of their frothy beverages at the Liquid Center tasting room or take the 90-minute Tour de New Belgium where travelers will have the chance to learn about the brewing process and sip on some suds. Complimentary tours operate Tuesday through Saturday.
2. Allagash Brewery — Portland, Maine
Since 1995, this New England brewery has crafted Belgian inspired ales often using the finest wheat rather than barley, combined with a unique blend of spices. Thirsty travelers can take a free, hour long tour of this coastal brew house while enjoying a refreshing taste of their seasonal specialties or year-round brews. Free tours operate Monday through Saturday.
3. Anheuser Busch Brewery Tour — Saint Louis, Missouri
During this hour-long tour, travelers will see and learn about the iconic Clydesdale horses and explore the architecture and history of the oldest Anheuser-Busch brewery. Hop fanatics interested in learning more about the brewing process can check out the acclaimed Beermaster Tour. Complimentary tours operate seven days a week.
4. Samuel Adams Brewery — Boston, Massachusetts
Located in the Hub, hop-enthusiasts will learn about the brewing process from start to finish during this 60-minute tour. Guests will also taste the special malts used to brew the beer and smell the aroma of the Hallertau hops. Free tours operate Monday through Saturday; a $2 donation is suggested to benefit local charities.
5. Sierra Nevada Brewing Company — Chico, California
Known for its flagship pale ale, this northern California brewery offers a 90-minute tour offering travelers the inside scoop on how the ales and lagers are crafted using select malted barley, whole hop flowers, brewer's yeast and pure water. Complimentary tours operate seven days a week.
6. Heinzelmannchen Brewery — Sylva, North Carolina
Travelers visiting the Great Smoky Mountains can enjoy tasty beverages at this microbrewery run by a German-born "brewmeister". Guests are encouraged to stop in for a tour where they will sample a variety of Deutschland-style beers and non-alcoholic sodas including sweet and tasty root beer and red autumn birch beer. Free tours operate Monday through Saturday.
7. New South Brewing — Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
This Myrtle Beach microbrewery offers travelers a tour through the entire brewing process and the chance to taste four frothy samples. Once a draught-only brew house, this beachside brewery now allows guests to purchase a six-pack of their favorite batch. Complimentary tours operate Tuesdays and Thursdays.
8. Boulevard Brewing Company — Kansas City, Missouri
With its 150-barrel brew house, this Kansas City company is the largest specialty brewer in the Midwest. During the 45-minute tour, beer lovers will learn about the brewery's unique history and crafting processes and will finish the tour in the Tasting Room where they'll sip some hoppy creations. Free tours operate seven days a week; the "Unfiltered Tour" is $20 and offered on Saturdays.
9. D.G. Yuengling and Son Brewery — Pottsville, Pennsylvania
Known as America's oldest brewery, this Schuylkill County establishment has been brewing since 1829. Travelers can step back in time as they explore the hand-dug fermentation caves used to store beer before modern refrigeration. Thirsty travelers can also savor some samples in the basement tavern built under the former Pottsville city hall. Complimentary tours operate Monday through Saturday.
10. Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. — Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
This Wisconsin brewery blends tradition with innovation to create a fascinating tour where travelers learn about five generations of the Leinenkugel family history while they're guided through the bottling factory. To cap things off, travelers can quench their thirst with complimentary samples of award-winning beers at the recently opened Leinie Lodge. Free tours operate seven days a week.
"TripAdvisor travelers have toured, tasted and spoken — these outstanding brewery tours also happen to be free and are sure to serve up hopping good experiences," said Brooke Ferencsik, director of communications at TripAdvisor.
About TripAdvisor:
TripAdvisor® is the world's largest travel site,* enabling travelers to plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers trusted advice from real travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 60 million unique monthly visitors*, and over 75 million reviews and opinions. The sites operate in 30 countries worldwide, including China under daodao.com. TripAdvisor also includes TripAdvisor for Business, a dedicated division that provides the tourism industry access to millions of monthly TripAdvisor visitors.
TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP) manages and operates websites under 19 other travel media brands, and together the sites attract more than 74 million unique monthly visitors.** TripAdvisor, Inc.'s travel media brands include www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com,www.everytrail.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk,www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.onetime.com, www.seatguru.com,www.sniqueaway.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.tingo.com, www.travel-library.com,www.travelpod.com, www.virtualtourist.com, www.whereivebeen.com, and www.kuxun.cn.


text:
Loreto Normanhurst
I have created relief characters of texts from Australian postmodern artists and dada artist Magritte, using white hand-building clay ceramics combined with silk-screen printing underglazes.
Our eye unconsciously deciphers words or whole texts and cannot embrace its aesthetics. I have blurred the edges between legibility and illegibility, following the work of Richard Tipping and Rosalie Gascoigne, to form a capricious and visually challenging artwork.
These works by Gemma Lush and Rosalie Gascoigne investigate and manipulate text within elements of assembled flat surfaces. How have the use of ceramics in Scrabble (a way with words) and found road sign materials in Metropolis created different surface qualities? Compare the formal arrangement and layering of text in each work. In both the text is obscured and rendered meaningless, formally creating complex abstract arrangements. Why then is the use of text still an integral component to the works?


text:
Katy Perry - Grammys 2013 Red Carpet
Katy Perry is gorgeous in green on the red carpet at the 2013 Grammy Awards on Sunday (February 10) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The 28-year-old singer head-to-toe Gucci to the show.
Katy was nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance for her song "Wide Awake". She was up against Adele for "Set Fire to the Rain," Kelly Clarkson for "Stronger," Carly Rae Jepsen for "Call Me Maybe," and Rihanna for "Where Have You Been".
The award went to Adele!
10+ pictures inside of Katy Perry on the red carpet…


text:
Matthew Barnaby's love life just can't stay out of the penalty box. Less than two years after he was arrested for harassing his ex-wife, the 39-year-old former NHL troublemaker and shitcanned ESPN hockey analyst filed suit this week in the New York State Supreme Court to get back both the $50,000 diamond engagement ring and the Cadillac Escalade he bought for the girlfriend he had dated most of last year. (Yes, sometime between the end of his marriage and his time with this ex-girlfriend, Barnaby reportedly also dated Michelle Beadle.) The Buffalo News described the ex-girlfriend named in the suit, 25-year-old Amber Lindke, as a "former beauty queen" who was named Miss Niagara County in 2005 and Miss Buffalo in 2007. She must have had some competition.
Lindke and Barnaby lived together from January 2012 until they broke up in September. According to what the Buffalo News gleaned from the suit, Barnaby possesses the 2008 Escalade but he had signed the title over to Lindke last January, after his license was suspended for a DWI—an incident in which police say he drove nine miles without one of his Porsche's front wheels. No money changed hands in the vehicle transaction, but Barnaby maintains that he continued to pay the insurance. The engagement ring was given to Lindke when Barnaby proposed sometime over the summer, though the couple can't even agree on what month that happened.
Lindke's lawyer said the SUV was "a gift," and that Lindke intends to keep both the Escalade and the ring. Oh, Lindke also intends to file a countersuit alleging that Barnaby owes her money for work she had done creating his website, which is a thing that actually exists.
Barnaby may have standing to get the ring back under New York state law, according to the Buffalo News, which also said Barnaby now works as a youth hockey coach.


text:
16' 6" Resolute
Steve Killing
Skill Level to Build:
Developed in response to requests from heavier and wider paddlers who also wanted a shorter boat, this stable load carrier is excellent for the novice kayaker.
If you are a designer who offers plans, or kit boats, we invite you to enter your information in the Directory of Boat Plans & Kits. There is no charge! This is for boats of WOOD hull material. And if you're in the market for a boat to build, this is a fine place to start.
To refine your search, add quote marks. If you search Nutshell Pram Kit, you will get all the listings which include Nutshell, Pram, and Kit. To refine, search "Nutshell Pram Kit" and you'll see just Nutshell Pram Kit results.


text:
Learn the Web's core
Archive. Site is not live, but the content is still here.
CoreDogs helps you learn the Web's core tech. So you can make Web sites, work with Web designers, set up Web software, and do other useful things.
We cover only the important tech. The 10% of the tech that does 90% of the work.
CoreDogs helps you get the most you can from every minute you spend learning. How? By using best practices from learning science. And CoreDogs is free.
CoreDogs helps people who teach Web tech, as well as people who want to learn Web tech.
Why teach with CoreDogs?
CoreDogs lets you improve your teaching, without spending more time on it. Checkout the video.
People who teach Web tech are experts in tech, but usually not in learning science. So how can they know the best way to teach?
That's where CoreDogs comes in. Best practices from learning science are baked into CoreDogs. When you drop CoreDogs into a course, you get both good tech and good learning.
What is a CoreDogs course like?
Students mainly work on their own. Exercises are embedded in the CoreDogs content. Students enter exercise solutions directly into CoreDogs. They can ask for your feedback. You can tell them how to improve, if that's needed.
You can use CoreDogs by itself for online courses. Or you can supplement CoreDogs with problem solving sessions. For example, once per week you meet in a computer lab, and give students a problem to solve. You walk around and help students who have trouble.
The CoreDogs Way means you don't lecture. The material is in CoreDogs, carefully explained, so why repeat it? Instead, you are a problem solver and troubleshooter. Because you don't lecture, you will have time to help individual students.
That's the CoreDogs secret sauce: the freedom to teach your students in the way they need to be taught. Let CoreDogs help them learn the basics on their own. You spend your time on things that students have trouble with.
Why learn the Web's core tech?
You want a Web site for a business, school, or some other organization
Learn what makes a site good. Then learn how to use your own branding (logo, colors, etc.), make good navigation bars, etc. More…
You run a content management system (CMS), like Drupal, or Joomla
Learn the core tech. It'll help you:
- Install the CMS.
- Keep it running and secure.
- Fix problems.
- Customize it.
You work with Web professionals
Learn the core tech. Communicate better with the professionals. You can explain what you want, and understand their answers. If you hire Web contractors, you can evaluate their work. More…
You're thinking about a Web career
You can have a great career. But know what you're getting into. CoreDogs can help you understand the work Web people do.
And no matter what career you choose, core Web skills can help.
You're technically curious
Learn how Web sites work. Just because you want to.
You can get started with CoreDogs. It's free. Or you can read A Tale of Two Students. It's a good way to understand what CoreDogs is all about.


text:
A tall goalkeeping product that hails from Vancouver Island, Nolan Wirth joined Whitecaps FC Residency in Sept. 2011 after playing at the Metro and provincial team level.
2012-13: The Comox, BC native started 12 of 13 regular season games he played for Whitecaps FC U-18 Residency. He amassed a 6W-6L-1D record, with one clean sheet on the season. 2011-12: Wirth started 17 of 18 games for Whitecaps FC U-16 Residency. He held a solid 10W-2L-4D record with four clean sheets on the season.
U-18: Wirth was called up to a week-long training camp with the Canadian U-18 team in November 2012. In October 2013, Wirth was also called up to the Canadian U-18 team for an October 8 to October 14 camp in Guatemala.
2012: Wirth earned a clean sheet in his PDL debut with Whitecaps FC U-23, as they won 4-0 at home to North Sound SeaWolves FC on July 6.
Growing up in the Comox Valley on the east coast of Vancouver Island, Wirth started his soccer career with Comox Valley United Soccer Club, where he played U-12 to U-14 Gold level (2006 to 2009). He also helped Upper Vancouver Island (UVI) to a runners-up finish at the British Columbia U-13 provincial championship. He then made the step up to UVI United Metro to play at the U-16 level from 2009 to 2011. With UVI United, the shot-stopper was named two-time season Most Valuable Player (MVP) and was the club's MVP in the 2010-11 season. Wirth also represented his home province of BC at the U-15 and U-16 levels (2010 to 2011). This included a bronze medal for BC at the 2011 Canadian U-16 All-Star Championship in Mount Pearl, Newfoundland. In 2011, the goalkeeper participated in the Canadian Soccer Association's National Training Centre (British Columbia region) program.
A native of Comox, BC, the goalkeeper's parents are Donna Wills and Kelly Wirth. He also has a brother named Liam. As a student in the Comox Valley, Wirth attended Ecole Robb Road Comox (2000 to 2002), Brooklyn Elementary School (2002 to 2007), Cape Lazo Middle School (2007 to 2008), and Highland Secondary School (2008 to 2011).
When not concentrating on his soccer career, Wirth enjoys playing other sports like golf, as well as the pastime of boating. He enjoys home cooked meals from his mom, especially pizza and cheesy lasagne, and enjoys watching his favourite team in English Premier League giants Manchester City FC. He is a fan of Manchester City and England goalkeeper Joe Hart, while he desires to play at the famous Wembley Stadium in London, England, one day.


text:
The swearing in of two new members of the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board made a big difference in decisions Tuesday night.
Kristel Ann Foster and Cam Juarez cast the deciding votes on their first night as TUSD board members.
Adelita Grijalva was elected board president minutes after the swearing in of Foster, Juarez and Mark Stegeman, the only board member reelected in November.
The board then met privately with its lawyers, and after one hour, emerged to vote 3-2 to remove TUSD's objection to teaching culturally relevant core courses as part of a desegregation plan.
Stegeman and Michael Hicks voted to keep the objections in the plan.
TUSD shut down its Mexican American studies classes in January 2012 after the Arizona Department of Education said the courses violated state law and the district could lose $15 million in state funding.
The same governing board that voted to end the classes also voted on the district's objection to a multicultural curriculum in mid-December in what led to board confusion and legal differences over what was done. That's why she brought the issue back to a vote, she said.
A desegregation expert drafted a plan that would put TUSD in compliance with a federal desegregation mandate that aims at providing racial balance in the district.
The proposed plan does not mention the now-defunct Mexican American studies classes by name. A court-appointed overseer known as a special master wrote his recommendations for the district, which included a multicultural curriculum and core classes relevant to Mexican-American and African-American cultures.
The plan included side notes that detailed objections from TUSD and other parties involved. One of those objections from TUSD officials, was to the multicultural curriculum.
Juarez was in the majority when he voted to remove the objection and said it is time for the district to start changing its public image and reputation.
"We need to get out of that mindset that the community is at war with the district and with the board," Juarez said. "We need to start working together and building some bridges, just start working together for the sake of our kids."
As a result of Tuesday's vote, TUSD will file a motion in federal court to withdraw the district's objections to the classes.
"It will be up to the judge to determine what weight to give it," said Heather Gaines, a lawyer representing the district. "The judge will know that the governing board is withdrawing the objections that it previously raised, and the judge may certainly consider that as he has not ruled yet."
It is unknown when the federal judge will rule on the desegregation case, she said.
"What I do know is that he recognizes that time is really of the essence as we are trying to get this implemented and planned for the next school year," Gaines said.
Stegeman pushed for the objection to the culturally relevant classes again Tuesday night, saying they fall outside of the original court case that put TUSD under a desegregation order. Such classes would "self-segregate rather than desegregate students," he said.
The desegregation case began in 1974, when parents of Mexican-American and African-American students sued TUSD for what they called discrimination against their children. The parents were represented by the NAACP and the Mexican Legal Defense and Educational Fund.
The federal government intervened in 1976 in what became known as the Fisher-Mendoza case.
A few years later, the parties reached a settlement putting TUSD under a desegregation order monitored by the U.S. Justice Department.
The 1978 desegregation order remained in effect until 2009, when TUSD filed a petition in federal court to terminate federal oversight.
"The court has acknowledged that the district will operate for the advocacy and equal advantage of every child," TUSD officials said at the time. But the plaintiffs in the original desegregation case appealed that decision.
The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the district's status and appointed a special master to develop the new plan last year. That plan is now in the hands of a federal judge.


text:
Cape Gynecologic Oncology brings a full range of services to women in southeast Missouri. The staff specializes in treating women with cancer of the reproductive organs and is trained in managing difficult or life-threatening disorders. They work with colleagues in internal medicine, family medicine, diagnostic imaging, radiation oncology, medical oncology, obstetrics and gynecology to provide patients with the highest standard of care in gynecologic cancer treatment.
Cancers Treated
Cape Gynecologic Oncology provides specialty care for cancers of the female reproductive system, including:
- Cervical cancer
- Fallopian cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Uterine cancer
- Vaginal cancer
- Vulvar cancer
Treatment Offered
While gynecologic surgery has become less invasive, often using laparoscopic approaches, Cape Gynecologic Oncology uses the da Vinci® S HD™ Surgical System, which delivers increased clinical capability while maintaining the same look and feel of open surgery. Physician Joseph H. Jacob, MD, FACOG, FACS, has performed more than twelve hundred gynecologic oncology surgeries in southeast Missouri using the da Vinci System, which offers the following benefits:
- Minimally invasive and safe surgery
- Improved access to the pelvis
- Easier, quicker and more-precise suturing
- Chemotherapy
Monday – Friday: 8 am – 4:30 pm
About Our Providers
Saint Francis Medical Center shares its powerful resources and technology with its Medical Partner, Cape Gynecologic Oncology. Patients have direct access to the latest technology and medical breakthroughs in cardiac, neuroscience, cancer, obstetrics and gynecology, neonatal care, emergency and trauma care, orthopedics and more.
- Specialties:
DaVinci Robotic Surgery
Gynecologic Oncology


text:
Saint Quadratus the Apologist
- Disciple of the Apostles
- Quadratus of Athens
Bishop of Athens, Greece; his background in Greek literature helped him become quickly accepted even by the pagans in his diocese. First person to write an apology for Christianity, addressed to Emperor Hadrian c.124. He is quoted in works by Saint Eusebius and Saint Jerome, and he is mentioned in early martyrologies.
- "Saint Quadratus the Apologist". CatholicSaints.Info. 24 February 2017. Web. 21 September 2020. <>


text:
Free Shipping within USA on orders above $250
Your Cart is Empty
I Agree with the Terms & Conditions [View Terms]
Almost there! Contact us if you have any concerns.
Customizations Total: $0.00
Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more …
Don't miss the latest, most relevant AIDA news!


text:
The Maori Council is seeking to build a $400,000 war chest to block the Government's partial sale of Mighty River Power but Maori leaders last night said they had to take the request to their iwi for consideration.
Following a series of meetings yesterday, the council, representatives of the Maori King and various hapu and iwi had reached the view that Maori had no choice but to seek review of the Government's decision to press on with the sale.
The council hoped "to turn this into a final decision before the end of the week", it said, but added "it also remains for the New Zealand Maori Council to determine the source of funding to bring this matter before the courts".
The Herald understands council co-chairman Sir Edward Durie has set a budget of $400,000 for the court challenge. Council solicitor Felix Geiringer said that, given the range of groups interested in proceeding with the court action, "there's a very good chance the funding will be there".
"There are one or two groups that have sufficient wealth to help fund it, the problem is not all of the groups are equally wealthy."
Te Rarawa chairman Haami Piripi said he would advocate supporting the council's claim but the decision would be made by the iwi.
Te Arawa's Toby Curtis said he expected Te Arawa would be approached, but "it is not our decision to make at the committee level, we have to go back to the iwi and seek their endorsement".
Mr Curtis would not say whether he would advocate in favour of supporting the council, but "the mere fact that we're meeting to seek the endorsement of the people - that's almost an advocacy role anyway, but we don't verbalise it".
Mr Geiringer said it would "devastating" if the legal challenge were to fail because of lack of funds.
He said it was not yet decided whether the council would progress its action in the High Court or the Court of Appeal.


text:
Tim Walton has established the Gator Softball program as a national powerhouse during his nine seasons in Gainesville. Under Walton's tutelage, Florida became the first Southeastern Conference institution in history to earn four consecutive Women's College World Series berths (2008-11). The Orange and Blue have made a total of six WCWS appearances since Walton's arrival in 2006, with three championship series appearances and the program's first national title in 2014.
Tim Walton interviewed on The Fastpitch TV Show
Produced By Gary Leland
Walton reached a career milestone when he earned career win No. 600 in just his 12th season as a head coach in 2014. Coming in his 774th game as a head coach, the Gators used an 8-0 mercy-rule victory at SEC rival Texas A&M to complete a three-game sweep on Easter Sunday. The win made Walton the fastest active head coach in the Southeastern Conference to reach 600 lifetime victories.
Tim Walton enters his 10th season at Florida with a 492-114 (.812) record at the head of the Gator program and a 615-178 (.776) career record in 12 seasons as a head coach. Florida has six 50-win seasons in program history, all under Walton.
In his nine years at Florida, Walton has led the Orange and Blue to countless school and SEC records, and his squads have earned numerous firsts for the Gator softball program. In 2011, UF advanced to an unprecedented fourth straight Women's College World Series, including its second trip to the Championship Series. Working as a four-time SEC Coach of the Year, Walton has led the Gators to three SEC regular-season and tournament titles. UF has made the NCAA Tournament every year of his tenure, hosted Regionals all nine times and played host to NCAA Super Regionals six times from 2008-14. Florida reached the pinnacle of college softball in 2014, capturing the national championship with a two-game sweep of Southeastern Conference rival Alabama in the finals.
On the softball diamond, Tim Walton has tutored 13 Florida student-athletes to 26 NFCA All-America honors, 18 players to 40 NFCA All-Southeast Region honors, has produced 14 WCWS All-Tournament team selections (including two Most Outstanding Players), coached 18 Gator athletes to 38 All-SEC honors and racked up 17 SEC All-Tournament team honors, including three MVPs, two SEC Pitchers of the Year and three SEC Players of the Year. Most recently, Gators Michelle Moultrie (2012) and Kelsey Bruder (2011) picked up back-to-back SEC Player of the Year accolades, becoming UF's third and fourth overall SEC Player of the Year honorees in program history. Additionally, Bruder brought home the 2011 Honda Sports Award, designating her as the nation's top collegiate female athlete in the sport of softball, and shortly after was awarded the NCAA Today's Top VIII Award as one of the top eight NCAA athletes in the country during the 2010-11 school year. Under Walton's direction, the Florida coaching staff has earned NFCA Southeast Regional Coaching Staff of the Year honors four times and the team was one of Easton's Teams of the Year in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Under Walton's watch, the Gators have shattered 343 University of Florida records since 2006, including 24 during the 2014 national championship season. His 2008 squad recorded an NCAA-record 70 wins and posted the best SEC record in league history at 27-1. The Orange and Blue shattered its own SEC single-season walks record with 332 in 2013, while the Gators' .979 fielding percentage ranked sixth in league annals. Florida's 2011 squad downed eight SEC records, including four team season records for runs (508), RBI (479) and walks (322), while extending its standing single-season homers record to 124. The 2012 Gator squad set the league record for slugging percentage (.627), while the 2009 Gators became only the second team to ever register a perfect conference road record (13-0).
The Orange and Blue reached the pinnacle of college softball in 2014 when they swept five games at the WCWS to win UF's first national championship. Florida compiled a 10-1 record as the No. 5 National Seed in the NCAA Tournament, with the only loss coming in Game 2 of the Super Regional against Washington. The Gators shut out Florida A&M, Stetson and UCF by a combined score of 29-0 to win the Gainesville Regional as Delanie Gourley, Hannah Rogers and Lauren Haeger each pitched a complete game to blank the three Sunshine State opponents. Gourley pitched a no-hitter against the Rattlers, marking the Gators' first-ever postseason "no-no." The next weekend, Florida run-ruled Washington in Games 1 and 3 of the Super Regional. After two lengthy rain delays, Kirsti Merritt launched a three-run walkoff home run in the third contest to send the Gators to Oklahoma City for the sixth time in seven years. At the WCWS, the UF defense turned a WCWS-record seven double plays, and Rogers pitched three straight shutouts against Baylor (twice) and top-ranked Oregon to set up a championship series clash with SEC rival Alabama. Florida's senior right-hander blanked the Tide in Game 1 before all three pitchers contributed in the clincher, with Gourley earning the win in relief of Haeger and Rogers recording the save to lock up WCWS Most Outstanding Player honors and bring home the national title. During the championship season, the Gators set school records for on-base percentage (.439), stolen-base percentage (.892), fewest errors (T-1st, 40) and double plays (28).
Six Gators were named to the NFCA All-Southeast Region teams, highlighted by Lauren Haeger's First Team selection; in addition, Hannah Rogers, Taylor Schwarz, Kelsey Stewart and Stephanie Tofft made the Second Team, while Kirsti Merritt was a Third Team choice. Stewart (First Team) and Rogers (Third Team) went on to earn All-America honors, with Rogers becoming Florida Softball's first-ever four-time All-American. The Orange and Blue ranked among the national leaders in fielding (third, .978), runs per game (fourth, 6.91), winning percentage (seventh, .821), home runs per game (seventh, 1.33), slugging percentage (seventh, .528), ERA (15th, 1.96), and stolen bases per game (19th, 1.73). Individually, Haeger ranked sixth in the country in home runs (20), while Rogers finished tied for sixth in shutouts (12) and ninth in wins (30), and Stewart was tied for sixth in triples (six) and 19th in hitting (.438). The Gators led the SEC in wins (55), runs scored (463), RBI (433), on-base percentage (.439), total bases (913), walks (321), steals (115), ERA and opponent's batting average (.196). Florida finished the year 22-11 against ranked opponents, including a 15-5 record against Top-25 foes after the calendar turned to April.
Walton picked up his fourth SEC Coach of the Year honor in 2013 after leading a young Gators squad to both the SEC regular-season and tournament titles en route to their fifth appearance at the WCWS in the last six years. UF played one of the most exciting WCWS games in history – a 15-inning thrilling victory against Nebraska – and finished the season ranked No. 5 in both national polls. Florida drew the largest home attendance in school history when 2,443 Orange and Blue faithful filled KSP Stadium for the showdown between the Gators and Noles, a game UF won, 7-3, in eight innings thanks to a walk-off grand slam from Briana Little. Florida paced the country with 58 wins, going 58-9, including 18-6 in Southeastern Conference play. Florida shattered its own SEC record for single-season walks (332), while downing 25 school records through the campaign. The Orange and Blue ranked second in the country in win-loss percentage (.866), fourth in fielding percentage (.979), seventh in triples per game (0.33), 11th in both ERA (1.83) and scoring (6.46) and 14th in the NCAA with 1.25 home runs per game.
The Gators earned the No. 2 National Seed, the sixth-straight national seed for UF and the third top-three tournament seed in school history. Five Florida student-athletes were named NFCA All-Southeast Region Team members, with Lauren Haeger and Hannah Rogers representing on the First Team, both also named NFCA 2013 All-Americans, while Kelsey Horton, Kelsey Stewart and Stephanie Tofft were NFCA All-Southeast Region Second Team honorees. Freshman Kirsti Merritt became the first SEC Tournament MVP as one of UF's four SEC All-Tournament Team members alongside fellow freshmen Taylor Schwarz, Stewart and Tofft. Florida owned a 17-6 record against Top-25 opponents in 2013 and led the SEC in 14 categories, including wins (58), runs (43), walks (332), ERA (1.83) and ranked second in fielding percentage (.979).
The 2012 season was the end of an era for the two-time Gator All-American and Academic All-American Moultrie, who went out with a bang as the 2012 SEC Player of the Year and a finalist for two major college softball awards – the 2012 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award and USA Softball's Player of the Year Award. Moultrie helped lead the Gators to a 48-13 overall record and a 21-7 record in SEC play for UF's fifth-straight 20-win league campaign in school history. UF ranked seventh in the country in ERA (1.46), ninth in win-loss percentage (.787) and 15th in the nation in slugging percentage (.482). The Gators finished third in the league through the regular-season slate and advanced to the SEC Tournament Championship Game for just the fifth time in program history, the third under Walton's tutelage, as UF's victory over Tennessee propelled them to not only the league tourney championship game, but gave Walton his 500th career victory as a head coach.
The Orange and Blue received a NCAA Tournament bid for the 13th time in school history and the 10th straight season, as the Gators picked up the No. 5 national seed, their fifth consecutive top-five seed, and hosted a NCAA Regional for the ninth time in program history, the eighth consecutive year. UF boasted two All-Americans in Moultrie and Hannah Rogers, while Kelsey Horton and Lauren Haeger were NFCA All-Southeast Region selections. Moultrie and Horton also reeled in 2012 Academic All-America nods. The Gators had three All-SEC selections: Horton, Moultrie and Rogers, and school-record tying four All-SEC Freshman honorees. Florida set or tied eight school records through the 2012 season as Moultrie put her mark on three alone, including career batting average (.385) and career stolen bases (83) and attempts (99). Moultrie, Florida's lone senior, compiled the second-best senior class win percentage in the country, finishing her tenure 216-41 (.840) throughout her four years on campus. The 2012 Gators paced the league in ERA (1.44) and saves (8) and ranked second in the SEC in slugging percentage (.482), on-base percentage (.396), RBI (296), homers (68) and fielding percentage (.974).
Florida finished 2011 as the No. 2 team in the country and the national runners up behind the success of a 56-13 (.811) overall record, led by the winningest class of seniors in school history. SEC Player of the Year Kelsey Bruder, Stephanie Brombacher, Megan Bush, Tiffany DeFelice and Aja Paculba put on a dominating four-year performance and concluded their careers boasting a 238-33 (.878) overall record and a 94-13 (.878) record in SEC play as UF tallied its fourth 50-win season in school history. UF paced the nation in Academic All-Americans, with four, and boasted a nation-leading six All-Americans and Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Southeast Region selections, the most possible for a single institution, to accompany seven All-SEC honorees, including two SEC All-Defensive team members. The 2011 Gators jumped out of the gates with a 24-0 start, the best in school history, and worked their way to a fourth straight SEC Eastern Division title, the fifth in Gator history, compiling a 21-7 league mark. The Gators downed more than 40 University of Florida single-season, game and career records en route to a fourth WCWS appearance in Oklahoma City, where Cheyenne Coyle, Brittany Schutte and Bruder earned WCWS All-Tournament Team honors along with Moultrie, who was named the WCWS Most Outstanding Player.
Statistically, Florida turned in a nation-leading performance in 2011, checking in at first in the country in home runs per game (1.8) and second in slugging percentage (.588). The Gators' 124 homers ranks fourth all-time in NCAA history and their 508 runs check in at sixth in the NCAA record books. UF paced the SEC in wins (56), slugging percentage (.588), runs (508), hits (573), RBI (479), home runs (124) and walks (322). A freshman in 2011, Rogers ranked third in the NCAA in wins (36), second among freshmen, while Schutte turned in 22 homers to rank third in the NCAA. Bush, the UF and SEC career home runs leader (65), ranked fifth in the country with her 21 bombs in 2011 and first with nine sacrifice flies.
Walton's 2010 Gators finished 49-10 with a .831 winning percentage, fourth best in the country. They made the WCWS for the third straight year, were the fourth seed in the NCAA Tournament, garnering a top-five seed for the third straight year, while reaching the quarterfinals of the 2010 WCWS in Oklahoma City. Florida finished the season ranked sixth in both the USA Today/NFCA and ESPN.com/USA Softball polls. The Gators went 20-4 in the SEC, placing second overall and first in the East Division. The 2010 squad set 28 school records, including nine single-game records and seven single-season records. As a power-hitting team, Florida set records for runs (22), hits (21), RBIs (20) and home runs (six, twice) in a game while breaking the school record for batting average (.331), runs (433), RBIs (402), total bases (936) and on-base percentage (.432). While topping the SEC record book for slugging percentage (.627), they ranked second in the nation for the power-hitting percentage while averaging 7.34 runs per game. Their 109 home runs and 1.85 homers per game ranked third in the country. Seven different Gators hit 10 grand slams, the second most in program history, while six UF batters hit home runs nine times in the same game over the 2010 season. The Gators led the SEC in batting average and ranked second in ERA (2.20), on-base percentage, runs, RBIs and total bases, while playing between two and five games fewer than other top conference teams. Walton coached Florida past the 600-win mark in program history while his players garnered two All-Americans honors, five NFCA all-Southeast Region selections, five All-SEC honors, three SEC Freshman team awards, one SEC All-Defensive team selection, two SEC All-Tournament team nods and one WCWS All-Tournament team selection.
The 2009 season brought new accomplishments and challenges for Walton's Gators. Their .926 (63-5) winning percentage was the best in the country, as was their 0.69 ERA. Florida garnered the program's first-ever preseason No. 1 ranking in both the USA Today/NFCA and ESPN.com/USA Softball polls and returned to the top spot for 12 weeks, including three where they tallied unanimous first-place votes. The Orange and Blue then earned the No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament and for the second time in program history, Florida punched its ticket to the WCWS in Oklahoma City. UF soared to new heights with its first-ever berth in the championship series, going 8-0 in games leading to the showdown. The No. 2 final ranking was the highest in the program's history to that point.
Walton led the '09 team as it broke or tied 61 school records, including the two conference records. The Gators went 15-0 on the road and recorded only two home losses. They captured the SEC regular-season and tournament titles and set the country's longest win streak of the season at 29 games. In all, Walton coached five All-Americans, six NFCA All-Southeast Region selections, seven All-SEC honorees, the most in Florida history, two SEC Freshman team selections, four SEC All-Defensive team members, four SEC All-Tournament team members, including the tournament's MVP, two WCWS All-Tournament team members and the SEC Pitcher of the Year as Stacey Nelson repeated the accomplishment, all while earning his second SEC Coach of the Year award.
Walton set a few milestones of his own during the 2009 season, reaching 300 career wins on Feb. 27 with a 10-5 victory over Pacific in the Gators' sweep of the Cox Invitational. He also became the winningest coach in Florida's history when he tallied his 193rd victory on March 21 as the Gators downed Tennessee, 7-0. Walton surpassed former coach Karen Johns' (2001-05) previous high (192) in 76 fewer games. In the 11-2 win over Mississippi State on April 4, Walton became the first coach in program history to amass 200 wins.
Walton's third season was the true turning point for Florida softball, as the team racked up the NCAA-record 70 wins and set many firsts for the program. The 2008 squad was the first team in school history to reach the WCWS and finished 3-2 in their first appearance, notching a spot in the semifinals. The '08 Gators were also the first UF softball team to host a Super Regional, garnering the program's first-ever No. 1 seed. UF took the SEC Tournament Championship for the first time as the Gators defeated Alabama, 4-1, in the title game. They also captured the SEC title for the second time in program history with their 27-1 record, the best winning percentage (.964) and most conference wins in SEC history.
The 2008 season also saw the program's first No. 1 ranking while the team broke or tied 72 school records through the course of the year. The Gators tallied a program-high 37-game win streak and a 41-game home win streak, which spanned the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Walton also coached a school-record five players to Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Southeast Region accolades and All-America honors. He also earned SEC Coach of the Year honors while coaching four All-SEC players, four SEC All-Defensive team members, four All-SEC Freshmen team members and the SEC Pitcher of the Year.
In Walton's second season, the Gators claimed the school's first 50-win (50-22) season and a NCAA Super Regional appearance. Florida also advanced to the SEC Tournament Championship game in 2007 for the first time since the inaugural 1997 season. In addition, two Gators earned Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Southeast Region honors, as well as All-America accolades, becoming only the second and third players in program history to earn the high honor, with Kim Waleszonia being the first position player named to an All-America team. As a team, the Gators set 59 school records.
In his first season, Walton led the Gators to a 43-25 overall record, making him the winningest first-year head coach in program history. The 43 wins were the most by the Gators since 2000 and the .632 winning percentage was the second-best in program history. Walton led the Gators to set 26 school records. Four individuals were named to All-SEC teams, a then program high, and senior Kristen Butler became only the second Gator to earn SEC Player of the Year honors. The Gators tallied another first when they defeated a No.1-ranked team for the first time ever, beating defending national champion Michigan, 3-2, on Feb. 18, 2006.
The third head coach in the history of the Gator program, Walton came to Florida from Wichita State University, where he had been the head coach for three seasons. In 2005, Walton led the Shockers to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 16 years as they earned the first at-large bid in school history. Wichita State finished the 2005 season with a school record 46-18 record and broke 30 school records in the process.
Walton began his tenure at Wichita State with a bang in 2003. The team put together one of the best turnarounds in the nation that year, improving its 2002 record by 18 wins to a 39-20 overall record. The Shockers' 39 wins was a school record at that point. Under Walton's watch, Wichita State ranked among the top 30 in the nation for ERA and fielding percentage, including the fifth-best fielding percentage in 2005 (.977).
Walton has been a part of national championship teams as a baseball player, an assistant softball coach and a head softball coach. Before heading to Wichita, Walton served as an assistant softball coach for the University of Oklahoma, as the hitting coach and outfielders coach. In his four seasons at OU, the Sooners won three Big 12 titles and made three consecutive WCWS appearances, including winning the 2000 NCAA title.
Walton played baseball for two years at Cerritos Junior College in his home town of Cerritos, Calif., before transferring to Oklahoma. Walton made two trips to the College World Series as part of the Sooners pitching staff, earning the win in the 1994 national title game in a 13-5 OU victory over Georgia Tech.
As a head coach, Walton stresses academics and community involvement with his teams, as well as on-field performance. Since arriving in Gainesville, Walton has engaged his teams in the community through Shands Hospital, March of Dimes, Climb for Cancer, Habitat for Humanity, the Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academies, Ronald McDonald House and Friends of Jaclyn, among other activities. In 2009, the Gators held the inaugural "Gators Swing for Cancer" event, which annually raises money and creates awareness for a number of different Shands hospital-affiliated charities. The Gators were awarded both the 2010 and 2011 UF Life Skills Cups for having the most community service hours of any Gator athletic team in back-to-back years.
In the classroom, Tim Walton stresses the importance of academic success, and since his arrival in Gainesville, the Gators have placed a strong emphasis on their work in the classroom. In the summer of 2012, the University of Florida softball program received public recognition from the NCAA as one of 30 Division I women's softball program's to post multiple-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores in the top-10 percent of all softball teams across the nation. Florida was one of just two Southeastern Conference softball programs to be honored by the NCAA for the four-year period ending in the 2010-11 academic year. The Gators struck again in the summer of 2013, and for the second consecutive year earned public recognition from the NCAA for multiple-year APR success. Florida was the only Southeastern Conference institution recognized for the 2011-12 academic year. 2014 brought a third straight APR recognition, as the Gators were one of two SEC schools to earn the distinction.
In 2009, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced the Gators had the fifth highest GPA in the country with a 3.49 cumulative team GPA, its highest in program history thanks to a 3.53 fall average – the highest of any UF sport – and five individual 4.0s. Since Walton took over the helm of the Gator softball program in 2006, 47 Gators have earned 82 SEC Academic Honor Roll accolades, 33 freshmen have been named to the SEC Freshman Academic Honor Roll, 11 players have been named Capital One Academic All-District selections 21 times and eight UF softball student-athletes have picked up 13 Capital One Academic All-America honors. The Gators have turned in one of the nation's top 16 GPAs in four years under Walton, while ranking in the top 30 among Division I programs two times. UF softball has a 100 percent graduation success rate for those student-athletes who started college in 2006, as calculated by the NCAA and released Oct. 25, 2013. The Gators were one of four Florida athletic teams to post a 100 percent GSR (also: volleyball and women's basketball).
"The importance of academic and community involvement stresses life after softball," Walton said. "These student-athletes are going to be part of a community – it helps them learn what it takes to be good people. Being a student-athlete at the University of Florida makes you a role model. We want our team to be involved in the community and perform in the classroom to show young people that playing athletics in college is about more than what they do on the field."
In addition to his impact on the college softball, Walton's success has trickled to the national level as a school-record four Gators accepted invitations to participate in USA Softball's 2011 Women's National Team Selection Camp, two of which were named to the Women's National Team – Moultrie and Schutte – and represented Florida and Team USA in 2011. Moultrie and Schutte reeled in the 2011 World Cup of Softball VI gold medal with the national team, and Moultrie went on to lead Team USA to a Pan American Games gold medal in October 2011 before making the Women's National Team roster again in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Three 2011-12 underclassmen in Cheyenne Coyle, Jessica Damico and Haeger were members of the US Women's Junior National Team which contributed to Team USA's gold medal at the IX ISF Junior Women's World Championship in Cape Town, South Africa, in December 2011. Haeger tossed the Junior World Championship Gold Medal Game, allowing just five hits, while fanning eight batters – including the last two – as Team USA defeated Japan to win its second consecutive Junior World Championship.
In July 2013, infielder Kelsey Stewart helped lead the Red, White & Blue Junior Women's National Team to a silver medal at the ISF X Jr. Women's World Championship, where Team USA squared off with Japan in the gold-medal game. Stewart batted .450 for Team USA with seven runs scored, four RBI and three triples.
Stewart was invited to the selection camp in 2014, and the rising junior was named to the 2014 USA Softball Women's National Team. Stewart is the fourth Gator to wear the Red, White and Blue at the senior level, joining Moultrie (2011-14), Schutte (2012) and Gator pitching standout Stacey Nelson (2009).
Walton additionally hit the national softball coaching scene in 2010 when he was honored by the USSSA Pride of the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) professional softball league by being named head coach of the Florida Pride (Orlando). Walton led the Pride to the 2010 NPF Championship title – the championship victory and NPF trophy was the first ever in Florida Pride history. Walton's 2011 squad won the 2011 regular-season title en route to the runner-up spot at the NPF Championship, while the coaching staff earned 2011 Coaching Staff of the Year honors.
In further recognition of his abilities as a coach and leader of student-athletes, USA Softball announced that Walton is one of 25 coaches in the 2015-16 Women's National Team Coaching Pool. The coaches selected from this group will lead Team USA at the 2015 Pan American Games and the XV ISF World Championships in 216, in addition to a series of exhibitions.
Walton has tutored a total of seven former Gators who have been drafted into and/or play in the NPF organization with the opportunity to continue their softball playing careers professionally, including Kristen Butler, Francesca Enea, Megan Bush, Kelsey Bruder, Aja Paculba, Michelle Moultrie and Stephanie Tofft.
After graduating from Oklahoma with a degree in history, Walton played in the Philadelphia Phillies organization from 1995-97.
Walton is married to the former Samantha Rhoten, who was a basketball player at Oral Roberts. The couple has two sons, Brooks (15) and Palmer (9), and a daughter, Camden (12).


text:
HOUSE EXTENSIONS IN north london
A Star Lofts are one of the leading house extension companies who specializing in house extensions in north london. Find out what our customers are saying about our 5 Star service on our testimonials page.
We can deal with all the aspects of the building of the conversion for you until it is ready for decoration. The project managers we have on staff will be available to answer any questions and help deal with any problems, as well as keep you informed throughout the entire process.
So if you're looking for a house extension in north london look no further. At A Star Lofts, we guarantee a hassle-free service and an outstanding finished product with attention to detail and pride in our work guaranteed throughout.
A star house extension specialists in north london are a member of the federation of master builders (FMB), the building industry's largest trade organisation, dedicated to promoting standards of excellence in construction. This is an assurance and peace of mind that we will complete all our work to a high standard of quality and safety. We are that confident in our quality of work that we provide a 10-year structural guarantee.
Contact us today to get your quote for your Loft Conversion in north london through our easy to use form or find our details below.
Phone: 01279 311732 | 07864 808824
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
WASHINGTON (AP) — Regulators on Friday closed two small banks in Florida and one in Kentucky, bringing the total number of U.S. bank closures to eight for this year.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said that state regulators closed First Federal Bank, based in Lexington, Ky.
The bank had about $100.1 million in assets and $93.9 million in deposits as of Dec. 31.
Your Community Bank, based in New Albany, Ind., agreed to assume all of First Federal's deposits and buy essentially all of the failed lender's assets.
The FDIC also shuttered Florida lenders Heritage Bank of North Florida and Chipola Community Bank.
Heritage Bank, which had two branches and was based in Orange Park, had about $110.9 million in assets and $108.5 million in deposits. FirstAtlantic Bank, based in Jacksonville, Fla., agreed to assume Heritage Bank's deposits and purchase essentially all its assets.
Chipola Community Bank, based in Marianna, had a single branch and about $39.2 million in assets and $37.6 million in deposits.
First Federal Bank of Florida, in Lake City, Fla., agreed to assume the deposits and purchase essentially all of Chipola's assets.
The failure of the three banks is expected to cost the deposit insurance fund a combined $50.2 million.
U.S. bank closures have been declining since they peaked in 2010 in the wake of the financial crisis and the Great Recession.
In 2007 just three banks went under. That number jumped to 25 in 2008, after the financial meltdown, and ballooned to 140 in 2009.
In 2010 regulators seized 157 banks, the most in any year since the savings and loan crisis two decades ago. The FDIC has said 2010 likely was the high-water mark for bank failures from the recession. They declined to a total of 92 in 2011.
Last year bank failures slowed to 51, but that's still more than normal.
In a strong economy an average of only four or five banks close annually. The sharply reduced pace of closings shows sustained improvement.
From 2008 through 2011, bank failures cost the deposit insurance fund an estimated $88 billion, and the fund fell into the red in 2009. But with failures slowing, the fund's balance turned positive in the second quarter of 2011.
The FDIC expects bank failures from 2012 through 2016 to cost $10 billion.
See also:


text:
The IIHF
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Chinese Taipei
Czech Republic
DPR Korea
FYR Macedonia
Great Britain
Hong Kong
New Zealand
South Africa
United Arab Emirates
United States
IIHF Rule Book
IIHF World Ranking
Survey of Players
IIHF Hall of Fame
Triple Gold Club
Flash version 9 is required for showing this movie!
Multi-cultural week for teens
141 players, 42 countries, eight teams and eight stories
Two Team Teal players put pressure the goalkeeper of Team Green. Photo: Toni Pylvänäinen
VIERUMÄKI – The coaches, goalie coaches, team managers and equipment managers get lots of theoretical lessons in the various class rooms but with the team program they also got practical education.
141 players from more than half of all IIHF member nations, including many developing hockey nations, joined their delegation to Vierumäki. With each year alternating between boys and girls, this time it was the turn for 1998-born male players to go to the camp in Finland.
Although most of the programs are for adults in areas like coaching players, managing teams and hockey organizations, the players can't be overlooked and form the liveliest part at the campus located between the Finnish cities of Lahti and Heinola.
Once the players landed in Helsinki and driven to Vierumäki, they were split from their delegation and assigned to the eight teams that are named after the different jersey colours and play in a tournament. For one week they lived, practised and played with players from the same age group from many different countries around the world in teams that are way more international than most if not all club teams.
IIHF.com spoke with eight players from eight different teams and eight different countries all around the world.
Team Red: Justin Cheng, Hong Kong
Justin Cheng comes from one of the smallest IIHF member nations by area, but that hasn't prevented him from doing well at the tournament. In five games he had two goals and eight assists to lead Team Red in scoring.
"It's great fun to be here. The games and practices are very fun," Cheng said.
"I learn a lot here and I spend a good time with the teammates."
More than seven million people live in Hong Kong, a former British colony that has become a special administrative region of China in 1997.
"Ice hockey is still developing in Hong Kong," the forward said. "There are not many ice rinks and only one international size rink. Ice time in Hong Kong is very expensive."
Being in Vierumäki with two big ice sheets in front of his dorm must feel unusual compared to the ice situation in the metropolis.
Cheng's goal is to play better and better. And he hopes that the experience he gains in Finland will help him. And who knows, maybe one day he will play in the World Championship program.
After fulfilling the minimum participation standards, Hong Kong will stage a comeback and send a team to the 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division III where the team will play Bulgaria, DPR Korea, host Luxembourg and the United Arab Emirates.
Team White: Liu Tiange, China
Also the Chinese mainland has players as well as adults for the various programs in Vierumäki. One of them is defenceman Liu Tiange, who has scored two goals in five games for his team.
"I like it here. It's really helping me improve my skills by playing with other players from all around the world," Tiange said. "Many of them are very good, better than me. They bring a good skill level to the tournament. It's also getting me new friends and I learn more about hockey."
"The most memorable day was the first day when we got all together and became a team."
Ice hockey in China is most popular in the northern province of Heilongjiang. Most national team players are developed in the cities of Harbin and Qiqihar.
Tiange, however, is not from there but about from 1,200 kilometres southwest, living in the Chinese capital of Beijing.
"Ice hockey is more popular in Qiqihar and Harbin but it's now developing in Beijing and also in Shanghai, and coaches are coming over from Harbin and Qiqihar," Tiange said. "But in China there are still not so many athletes playing hockey compared to basketball, football, badminton or ping-pong. Playing hockey in China is like a family and you know the people who play hockey but you really want more people to join."
China has 610 registered players, which looks small in comparison to the population of over 1.3 billion people. But there is potential and there are many rinks across the Middle Kingdom to make the ice hockey program bigger.
"I play hockey for fun and many of my friends are in my hockey team including Nie Haolin from the black team here," Cheng said about his hockey life. "It takes away the stress from the daily routine and it makes fun. Hockey gives you a healthy way of life."
Team Black: Hüseyin Seçer, Turkey
One country that has slightly more players than China but hasn't climbed up the ladder that far yet is Turkey, where ice hockey is a newer and still growing sport.
Ice rinks have been built in several cities in the last few years including in Erzurum where the 2011 Winter Universiade took place. Only in the years leading up to the event did an ice hockey program start in the city in the mountainous east of the country. Hüseyin Seçer is among the first players. The defenceman and other players were taken from the street to a frozen pond and he immediately fell in love with the sport.
"I started when I was ten. We started to play hockey on a pond. Erzurum is Turkey's 'capital of the cold' and hockey has become popular," Seçer said.
Being picked for the camp in Vierumäki is kind of a Cinderella story for the young man, and considering that Turkey is in 40th place in the IIHF World Ranking, he adjusted pretty well and is one of the hopeful players for the future of Turkish hockey.
Seçer comes from a family with five sisters. He studies, plays hockey and also helps his father with work.
Being good at hockey gives him a different perspective since his family is not rich. Because of hockey he met many new people, saw many new cities in Turkey and now got to play in Finland's top hockey centre.
"I will never forget this week. It's wonderful. Whatever we need is here. The coaches and managers are very professional," Seçer said. "I couldn't imagine something like this and practising under such conditions. I meet many people from around the world. They are very friendly and help me a lot."
The tournament also helps him understand where his level is internationally and in which areas he can improve.
"I want to be the best in hockey and go to the top. My dream is to go further and to play in Canada," Seçer said. "I will reach my goals with hard work."
Team Blue: Kwanyong Park, Korea
14-year-old forward Kwanyong Park from Korea is one of the noticeable players at the camp. In an age group with varying levels of physical development, Park is one of the shortest players. But that doesn't prevent him from playing ice hockey and showing off some great skills.
With his friendly smile – especially when he showed a small Stanley Cup replica the team awarded to the hardest working player of each day – he's the team darling.
The Seoul native hopes to make the U18 national team and wants to learn here. In Korea, hockey is pass, pass, shoot and goal, as he describes it, while he finds players and coaches with different styles here.
"I like the camp because it's a lot of fun," Park said. "The people are very kind and I make new friends. I learn a lot here."
Park shows his skill with passion but in the back of his mind he has set his goals already one step further.
"My dream is to one day coach the Korean national team," he said.
Team Green: Timothé Cachard, goalkeeper, France
While the focus is on the developing nations here, higher-level hockey nations also had the chance to send players. One of them is French goalkeeper Timothé Cachard.
While the overall skill level may be lower than playing in the French junior league with Grenoble where he comes from, he enjoys every moment.
"I like it a lot in Vierumäki. I profit a lot because playing here is different than what I'm used to in France and the guys here are friendly," Cachard said.
He likes the challenge of being in an international environment although it can be tricky at times.
"You see here other players and other staff from different countries who I haven't know before," he said. "I and some others don't speak English so well but we get along well."
Coming from one of the French hockey towns, Cachard already started to play the sport at the age of six at a club near Grenoble.
"I want to play at the highest level I can reach," he said while getting his first experiences playing and competing with players from other countries.
Team Yellow: Daniel Duffy, Ireland
Ireland may not seem the most exotic country having two traditional hockey nations – France and Great Britain – as its nearest neighbours. But the Irish Ice Hockey Association was only founded in 1996, two years before Daniel Duffy was born. And despite having roughly 300 players, the opportunities to practise the sport are limited due to the lack of available ice rinks.
"We haven't got ice at the moment. We're on rollerblades in the moment training in the halls," Duffy said. "There's meant to be two ice rinks being built in Dublin I think in November, then we can have ice time."
But the Irish are fighters and they battle hard for hockey, whether it's the two players, the two coaches or the two administrators who came here to learn and work for a better future of the sport in Ireland.
"It's a great experience to come here, it's going great with the team," Duffy said.
"The camp is a real eye-opener because the standard of hockey in Ireland is very low. It's just great to learn from a lot of people from different countries."
The forward of the Dublin Ducks needed some time to adjust. The lack of playing and ice skating opportunities certainly didn't help his development. But Duffy gives it all and tries to make up for it with his fighting spirit after coming back from a small injury at the first off-ice practice.
"I learned how to check," he said about the biggest improvement he did. And as a true fighter he loves to check. He's said to get at least one hit in each shift. And despite the regular ice rink issues in the countries he doesn't give up his dream of a career in the sport he loves.
"I want to become better and better and finally become a professional ice hockey player," he said.
Team Teal: Dominyk Bogdziul, Lithuania
Many of the most skilful forwards come from bigger hockey countries here while Dominyk Bogdziul hails from a rather unusual place for hockey.
Bogdziul, who notched seven goals and ten assists in five games, was born in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius. While the most famous players from the country come from the small hockey town of Elektrenai – including Dainius Zubrus and Darius Kasparaitis – he and his four years older brother and national team player Daniel belong to a generation of players from hockey programs in other cities.
"I was four years old when I started to play ice hockey. My grandmother brought me to the ice rink," he remembered.
Same as his brother he left his hometown to continue his development a few kilometres across the border in the Latvian city of Liepaja.
"The first practice on the ice and off the ice here in Vierumäki was most memorable for me," he said.
"It's very beautiful here and there are very good guys from other countries on my team. It helps me for my level of play and skills."
While he doesn't know yet where the path will lead him, his goal is for now to improve and come to a good level in a good country.
Team Maroon: Harrison Macharg, forward, New Zealand
Coming basically from the other end of the world compared to Vierumäki, Harrison Macharg is among the camp participants who travelled the longest to Finland. But for the forward it's been a rewarding experience.
"I like it much here. When we came together on the first day there was a language barrier but now even if there's still a language barrier we get along and are good friends," the Queenstown native said.
"The hockey is great to see. There are some of the best players of your age in the world here, and learning new stuff from the coaches is a great experience."
Macharg started to play hockey because of his brother when he was five or six years old. He feels he improved his game here and more improvement is to come by the end of this camp before he heads back to New Zealand where it's high-season right now for ice hockey.
"I hope to get better and go back to my country and teach others who play hockey there," he said.
In New Zealand, ranked 35th in the world, becoming a professional ice hockey player is not yet an option and also for Macharg it's more about having fun.
"I'm not going to go to any pro league but I want to use it to have fun and make friends all around the world," he said. "I want to keep ice hockey taking me around the world. It has already got me to a few countries and I want to keep it doing like that."
The IIHF
Copyright IIHF. All rights reserved.
By accessing www.iihf.com pages, you agree to abide by IIHF
Terms and Conditions
Privacy Policy


text:
People. Power. Impact.
Join over a million GetUp members fighting for a fair, flourishing and just Australia.
GetUp! is working towards a thriving democracy in Australia led by the values and hopes of everyday people.
Our community is committed to campaigning for a fairer taxation system, a better education for every child, a comprehensive National Disability Insurance Scheme, and a welfare system that protects society's most vulnerable people.See campaigns
In a crucial decade for our planet, GetUp members are leading the way on action against climate change and for a renewable energy future. We also stand for the ongoing protection of our forests, national parks and Great Barrier Reef.See campaigns
GetUp members believe in a fair go for everyone and continue to fight for fairer treatment of asylum seekers, reforms in the mental health system and a free and fair media.See campaigns
GetUp gives everyday Australians the chance to make extraordinary impact – online, across the airwaves, and in the streets.
I'm a proud supporter of GetUp. I'm always happy to make my monthly contributions.
Vanita, Sydney
We must defend our right to organise and express our political views, outside of party affiliation.
Drew, Port Macquarie
However dire the political news, I have found myself energised, rejuvenated, motivated — happy.
Gabi, Sydney
GetUp's principle of reclaiming democracy resonated with me as I feel strongly that citizen engagement with our government should be encouraged.
John, Ipswich
The future of politics in Australia is organised, ordinary people, outside the party system. GetUp is a way of empowering normal folks.
Pat, Sydney
GetUp holds our politicians accountable and cuts through the rhetoric.
Sue, Sydney
GetUp is a powerful campaigning community
By combining the sheer power of a million members, movement partners and a central team of expert strategists, we do what it takes to get things done.
Our work is driven by our values, not party politics. GetUp is, and always has been, an independent organisation.
GetUp is about making change, not just making noise. Everything we do is guided by carefully crafted strategies designed to win.Find out more
Today, there are countless ways to voice your opinion. But how do you make sure politicians are listening to you?
GetUp focuses and amplifies your voice alongside a million others so that you're not just heard – you make a real difference. You help set the strategy, you choose the issues you want to work on and together, we make a huge impact.


text:
A study from the University of B.C. has found a surprising benefit of gay-straight alliances in high schools — lower rates of binge drinking among students.
The study, published recently in the journal Preventive Medicine, found that both straight students and girls who identified as lesbian or bisexual were less likely to binge drink if their school had a gay-straight alliance for at least three years.
The findings suggest that schools with long-established anti-homophobia policies "create a very different environment for all students," said Elizabeth Saewyc, the study's senior author and a professor of nursing at UBC.
"And that's a good thing," she said. "If you have lower levels of harassment, bullying and homophobic comments, and the kinds of distress that can generate even for straight kids, that's going to change people's needs to cope."
Gay-straight alliances are student clubs that bring together straight students and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students to give support and make schools feel more friendly for all students.
The researchers used data for nearly 22,000 high school students collected from the 2008 B.C. Adolescent Health Survey. Students were asked about their sexual preferences, alcohol use and marijuana use. Of the 280 high schools included in the study, 23 had long-established gay-straight alliances and 37 had long-established anti-homophobia policies.
The researchers found in schools with gay-straight alliances established for at least three years, heterosexual students and lesbian and bisexual girls were significantly less likely to binge drink. Girls who identified as lesbian or bisexual were 55 per cent less likely to drink alcohol and 52 per cent less likely to binge drink on the Saturday before they filled out the survey. Straight boys and girls were 19 per cent less likely to binge drink on that Saturday.
The students were also less likely to have problems related to alcohol and drug use — blacking out, car accidents, problems at school, family arguments about alcohol use or trouble with police.
However, the study found that an established gay-straight alliance did not have a significant effect on drinking by gay and bisexual boys.
More research is needed to know why gay and bisexual boys weren't affected, but Saewyc said the finding could be a result of the study's small sample size. It could also be related to society's ideals on masculinity, she said.
"Generally speaking, boys are less likely to get involved in support-type groups than girls are," said Saewyc. "They go for the pickup basketball game, not the social justice group."
While many studies have found that gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender youth are more at risk of binge drinking, drug abuse, suicidal thoughts and self-harm behaviour — often as a result of bullying — Saewyc said the goal of this study was to look at the effect of anti-homophobic policies on the student body.


text:
Authorities are searching another location in suburban Colorado hours after they entered the home of a Denver man, who sparked a series of anti-terror raids in Queens, looking for evidence to see if he has any ties to terror.
Investigators with search warrants entered a home belonging to the relatives of Najibullah Zazi, an Afghan immigrant who has not been charged or arrested and proclaimed his innocence through a lawyer on Tuesday. Television station KUSA reports a tarp is set up outside, suggesting examination of evidence may be being prepared.
Hours ago, FBI agents entered the Denver home of Zazi to conduct a search. It wasn't immediately known if Zazi was at his home in Aurora at the time of the raid. His attorney, Arthur Folsom, was not at his Denver office and couldn't immediately be reached for comment.
One agent wearing protective clothing escorted a dog belonging to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives into Zazi's apartment. Another wore a shirt with the words "FBI Evidence Response Team'' on it. Other agents wearing FBI jackets stood outside the building along with Arapahoe County sheriff's deputies.
The raid came a day after two law enforcement officials told The Associated Press that a joint FBI-New York Police Department task force had put Zazi under surveillance because of suspected links to al-Qaida.
Zazi spoke out on Tuesday, denying any connection with terrorist organizations and saying, through his lawyer, "I love America."
His attorney said the FBI is focusing on the wrong man, and told KUSA television station in Denver that his client has agreed to be questioned by the FBI.
Zani's car and computer were seized while he was attempting to cross the George Washington Bridge earlier this week and his visit to New York prompted a series or FBI-NYPD raids around Queens.
Officials said they are still trying to learn more about Zazi and his associates in both Queens and Colorado, while evidence recovered in the Queens raid has been sent to the FBI lab at Quantico, Va., for additional analysis. Agents are also scouring Home Depot and other stores in the Denver area to whether people on watch lists made any unusual purchases such as muriatic acid, which can be used to make bombs more deadly, sources said.
As NBC New York first reported, officials said they recovered a document on how to build a bomb during the searches.
Investigators also said they seized nine backpacks in the Queens raids but no evidence of explosives were found. Officials said they were looking to see if the backpacks were all bought recently and at the same time.
Several law enforcement officials have pointed out backpacks have been used to conceal bombs in attacks on trains in Madrid and London – but a senior official briefed on the case said there is no evidence of any plot to target New York area trains at this time.
Officials said no warning has been issued in this case because there is no evidence at this time suggesting any of the men discussed possible targets.
News of today's raids in Denver comes on the heels of one official stressing there is no need for any public threat warning at this time.
That official pointed out how months ago, Homeland Security officials put out an unrelated warning about a possible threat to the Long Island Rail Road. A Long Island man admitted speaking with Al Qaeda operatives overseas about the transit system, prompting the alert.
On Capitol Hill today, FBI director William Mueller added, "I don't believe there's an imminent danger from what I know of that particular investigation."
Sen. Charles Schumer had asked the FBI chief to reassure New Yorkers and Americans that the case did not pose a ready danger and that any plot was not in an executable stage.
"This recent report put New Yorkers on edge. It came at a time right after 9/11. There are all sorts of rumors going around. I know that this is an ongoing investigation and not much can be said, nor should it, so the investigation is not compromised," Schumer said at the hearing.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said he won't comment on the investigation generally, or the backpacks in particular, saying only the investigation continues. Kelly denied reports suggesting a riff between the FBI and NYPD in the case over whether the NYPD pushed to have the raids happen sooner rather than to conduct surveillance on the men for a while longer.
Yesterday, the New York Post reported that the FBI is miffed with the NYPD for allegedly flubbing the intelligence gathering effort in Queens -- and tipping off the suspect.
Colorado elected officials who said they've been briefed on the investigation have said there is no imminent threat.
Zazi, 24, had holed up in his Denver-area apartment earlier Wednesday, not wanting the media storm surrounding his case to cause trouble for his company, his boss said.
A man inside Zazi's apartment referred a reporter's questions to Zazi's lawyer. A phone number listed for Zazi rang unanswered Wednesday.
Zazi told the AP Tuesday that he was worried about his future.
"This could look bad on me. It could damage my business,'' he said.
The building is very close to a toll road that runs to Denver International Airport, where Zazi picks up and drops off passengers as a driver for ABC Airport Shuttle. Zazi's airport shuttle van was parked outside the building.
ABC Airport Shuttle dispatcher Tony Gonzales said he spoke to Zazi after the media storm erupted and Zazi said he was staying home to avoid giving his company any trouble.
"We don't have any problem, he can always come back and work here,'' said Gonzales, 48.
"He's a hardworking guy. No trouble, no problem whatsoever. Very quiet guy,'' Gonzales said. "He's always on time. When we give him a pickup, he always does it.''
On Tuesday, Folsom said Zazi contacted him immediately after hearing that friends' homes in New York had been raided.
The lawyer said Zazi drove to New York in a rented car to take care of a problem with the location of a coffee cart that he co-owns with a friend, and to visit friends.
Zazi said he was stopped by police on Sept. 10 on the George Washington Bridge, which connects New Jersey to Manhattan, and that he consented to a random search of his vehicle for drugs. He was allowed to leave.
In New York, Folsom said, Zazi's car was towed because of a parking violation. Police searched both the car and a laptop inside, Folsom said.
"They found nothing, didn't ask him any more questions and sent him on his way,'' Folsom said. "If they had had found anything, he would be in the company of the federal officials in New York.''
Zazi returned the car to an airport and flew home to Denver.
Zazi's aunt, Rabia Zazi, said that her nephew recently visited the Peshawar region of Pakistan _ where she said his wife lives. Najibullah Zazi hopes to bring his wife to the United States, his aunt said.
She said Zazi was born in Pakistan but moved to the United States at an early age and grew up in Queens. He moved to Colorado several months ago to help his father with his shuttle business, she said.
Gonzales said Zazi had left another shuttle company for ABC, where drivers are more independent and can set their own hours. He said he was surprised to hear news reports about Zazi.
"When I called, he said, 'I'm home.' I said, 'What the hell are these people talking about."


text:
If you're like me—some of you are and some of you aren't—you'll also look for diversity among the speakers. If every speaker is a man, or if everyone is white, or both, I know this isn't an event for me. I don't need to hear more of the same prominent voices, and I don't get much value out of an environment that takes a narrow, old-school view on who's worth listening to.Here's the difference: Milstein isn't just any attendee, she organizes major conferences and has spent a lot of time focused on the problems around getting more women on the program at professional conferences, something we've discussed frequently on The Eloquent Woman. You'll learn a lot from this post, which not only does a great job summarizing the many debates on this topic in the tech world, but Milstein's process of looking for great women speakers, from keeping lists to watching videos.
Because some of you aren't like me in your choices, there are profitable conferences with speaker rosters that look like roll call for the signers of the Constitution. But conferences that want to be taken seriously by people who take other kinds of people seriously need more diversity among the speakers to thrive. And conference organizers, whose goals often include highlighting new ideas, cannot simply recycle the same short list of well-known speakers from show to show.
What do you think of this post and its suggestions? What are your suggestions for addressing the issue--which is a problem even in professions dominated by women? Share your ideas in the comments.
Use the Evernote clip button, above, to save this post in an Evernote notebook. Go here to subscribe to Step Up Your Speaking, my free email newsletter that looks at a different speaking topic in depth each month...then become a fan of The Eloquent Woman on Facebook and join the conversation with thousands of other women (and men) about public speaking skills and confidence.


text:
Sermon delivered September 28, 2008.
One day Georgios Georgiou prayed, "Good Lord, I just received a notice from the bank that they are going to foreclose on my restaurant if I do not make a payment right away. I do not have the money. Good Lord, you are Greek and I am Greek. Help me to save the restaurant that's been in my family for three generations. Panagitsa, help me when the lottery." Mr. Georgiou did not win. The next week, Georgios prayed again, "Thee mou, didn't you hear me? This is your obedient servant. I must win the lottery to save the restaurant. Please, O Kyrios, help to win the lottery." He didn't win. The bank repossessed the restaurant. In tears, Georgios prayed again, "O Lord, why did you let me down? The restaurant is gone. What am I going to do? Oh, why did You fail me?" Suddenly, a voice came from the clouds, "Georgaki, you could have met Me halfway. You could have bought a lottery ticket."
Now if you leave church today and go out and buy a lottery ticket, you've missed the point of my story. It's not about playing the lottery. The message is when we are in trouble, do we meet God halfway? I would assert that we meet God halfway, whenever we follow Him. In today's Gospel reading (1st Sunday of Luke 5:1-11) Peter basically hits the jackpot when Jesus walks into his life. After working through the night and not catching a single fish, Jesus tells Peter, James and John to launch into the deep water and cast their nets. They do this and land a huge catch of fish. It was so large that the nets were starting to break and they ended up filling two boats so full that they beginning to sink. When Peter sees the miraculous catch, he falls down at Jesus' feet and says, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" (v.8). One can get the sense that Peter is not being necessarily repentant as much as he's thinking, "Depart from me so I can go out and catch another boatload of fish."
However, Jesus has other plans for Peter, James and John. He calls them to a whole new vocation where they will try to catch men, not fish, and their net will be the Gospel, the Good News that the Messiah has come and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Looking more closely, we see that Peter won the lottery, not because he caught a huge haul of fish. Rather, Peter won because he met and followed Jesus. Unlike the lottery, this meeting was not by chance. No encounter with the Lord is by coincidence. The change in Peter's life, and our life, is because we continue to meet God halfway. As I said before, we must follow the Teacher. Here's how it can happen:
First, we must Want the Teaching. In the gospel, the crowds draw near to Jesus to hear the word of God (v.1). We must demonstrate our desire for God's teaching by rising each morning to pray to Him, cracking open and reading our Bible each day, participating in worship services every week, getting to know the lives of the saints and the teachings of the Church Fathers. These are all ways of drawing near.
Second, we must Hear the Teaching. Our prayer to God should be a dialogue, not a monologue. We don't have to rush through and read whole books from the bible. It would be better to take little morsels, memorize them and chew on them throughout the day. Our worship of God must be in Spirit and truth. We are not here to impress God or each other. Neither should we come to liturgy to be passively entertained. Most of the substantive teaching takes place in the first half of the Liturgy with the epistle, gospel and sermon. We must be on time to hear the teaching.
Third, we must Trust the Teaching. Despite the fact that Peter caught nothing all night, he trusts the command of Jesus' and obeys it by letting down his net. At the end of the passage, Peter, James and John trust Jesus' call to become fisher of men and the leave everything behind to follow Him (v.10-11). Despite all our prayers and liturgies, despite our knowledge of the scripture and the saints, our life will not mean very much if we don't believe and trust these things enough to actually take risks in order to change. When Jesus says, "Launch into the deep and let down your net for a catch" (v.4), some have interpreted this to mean we must look deep into our soul and dredge up all the filth and the muck of our life. This repentant action helps remove the barriers that impede our desire for God, and our ability to hear and trust the Lord. Often, because of the nature of sin, we need another person's help to accomplish this. This also requires openness and trust.
To conclude, Following the Teacher involves Wanting, Hearing, Trusting and Following His Teaching. Each of these actions is like meeting God halfway. All of these imply movement and change. For many of us, this is scary stuff. We easily grow accustomed to our way of life, even if it is not pleasant or productive. Before Jesus calls Peter, James and John to follow Him, He says, "Do not be afraid" (v.10). God is saying the same thing to us, "Do not be afraid. Meet me halfway. I will come to you. I will reveal Myself to you-sometimes in a miraculous way but often in a subtle yet reassuring way. Leave your former life behind. I have a plan for a new life for you."
Have I drawn near and close to God in order to hear Him? Do I trust Him enough to change my life?
Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews is the pastor of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Fr. Andrews is the past president of Minnesota Eastern Orthodox Christian Clergy Association (MEOCCA), and a volunteer chaplain with the St. Paul Police Department.


text:
Below are the September 11, 2016 Sunday 9pm verified lotto results for Super 6/49 & 6/58 Ultra lotto games today:
6/49 Super Lotto:
- Result Date: 9/11/16
- Winning Combinations:
- 6/49 Jackpot Prize:
- Total Winner(s): 0
Php 33,696,272.00
6/58 Ultra Lotto:
- Result Date: 9/11/16
- Winning Combinations:
- 6/58 Jackpot Prize:
- Total Winner(s): 0
Php 50 Million
SEE MORE: Today's compilation of EZ2 and SWERTRES results.
Prizes for Today's Lotto Results (September 11, 2016)
PCSO's Sunday lotto jackpot prizes for the 6/58 and 6/49 lotto results today with the total jackpot winners for each draw are illustrated above. Make sure to visit our PCSO Prize Payout listing for your reference.
Exact order of winning lotto numbers is not needed in order to win prizes.
Looking for Other PCSO lotto results? You should note that there are no 6/42, 6/45 and 6/55 draws today (Sunday, 11-september-2016). You can check the PCSO Draw Schedule here if you want to get the daily PCSO draws.


text:
Summary and Keywords
As an urbanized river-dominated delta, New Orleans, Louisiana, ranks among the most experimental of cities, a test of whether the needs of a stable human settlement can coexist with the fluidity of a deltaic environment—and what happens when they do not.
That natural environment bestowed upon New Orleans numerous advantages, among them abundant fresh water, fertile soils, productive wetlands and, above all, expedient passage between maritime and continental realms. But with those advantages came exposure to potential hazards—an overflowing Mississippi River, a tempestuous Gulf of Mexico, sinking soils, eroding coasts, rising seas, biotic invasion, pestilence, political and racial discord, conflagration—made all the worse by the high levels of social vulnerability borne by all too many members of New Orleans' population. More so than any other major metropolis on the North American continent, this history of disaster and response is about the future of New Orleans as much as it is about the past.
This article examines two dozen disasters of various types and scales, with origins oftentimes traceable to anthropogenic manipulation of the natural environment, and assesses the nature of New Orleans' responses. It frames these assessments in the "risk triangle" framework offered by David Crichton and other researchers, which views urban risk as a function of hazard, exposure, and vulnerability. "Hazard" implies the disastrous event or trauma itself; "exposure" means human proximity to the hazard, usually in the form of settlement patterns, and "vulnerability" indicates individuals' and communities' ability to respond resiliently and adaptively—which itself is a function of education, income, age, race, language, social capital, and other factors—after having been exposed to a hazard.
Keywords: New Orleans, Louisiana, flooding, disaster, recovery, adaptation, resilience, hurricanes, Mississippi River, delta cities
Access to the complete content on Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Natural Hazard Science requires a subscription or purchase. Public users are able to search the site and view the abstracts and keywords for each book and chapter without a subscription.
Please subscribe or login to access full text content.
If you have purchased a print title that contains an access token, please see the token for information about how to register your code.
For questions on access or troubleshooting, please check our FAQs, and if you can''t find the answer there, please contact us.